12 Timeless Paint Colors That Will Never Go Out of Style

You'll never get tired of them.

Strong or subtle, these shades have one thing in common — you'll never get tired of them.

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Ralph Lauren Paint Trianon RL4037

"This is like that fleeting blush of pink in the sky before the sun sets. It's not what instantly comes to mind for a library, but I wanted to counter the room's inherent masculinity. Pink is warm and atmospheric, and it makes dark antique furniture look ravishingly beautiful. It's not an assertive color. It's demure, which gives it longevity." —Jeffrey Bilhuber

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2 of 12

Pratt & Lambert Antique White 14-31

"Use this if you have to paint a room quickly and don't know what to do. It's a home-run color—a dirty celadon that has been in the line forever. My mother, who was also a decorator, loved it. It works for any environment — modern or traditional, no problem — and with any color — blue, red, yellow, tangerine." —Athalie Derse

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3 of 12

Benjamin Moore Caribbean Azure 2059-20

"If you swept this color up from the deep sea into your favorite room, you'd join the rest of the world, who have used it in Chinese porcelain, Dutch delftware, and Portuguese tiles. I just came back from Lisbon's famous tile museum, and on the same trip, I saw a kitchen in Paris painted this color. Try it with glossy black trim and a pearl-gray ceiling." —Whitney Stewart

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4 of 12

Pantone Universe Monument 17-4405

"This steel gray, with a hint of blue, has a kind of strength and calm that feels very architectural, almost as if it were a material integral to the room rather than a paint color. When you're surrounded by it, the effect is like an updated version of a traditional paneled room — but a lot less expensive. I would do it in high gloss so it glistens." —Steven Gambrel

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5 of 12

Farrow & Ball Skimming Stone 241

"It's one of my all-time favorite colors, a warm gray that makes a room inviting yet still clean and crisp. It works with almost any scheme, but I like to use it with either gem tones or neutrals, such as creams, browns, and dark grays. I painted my own living room this color and after all this time I still love it, which means a lot!" —Blair Harris

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6 of 12

Pratt & Lambert White Smoke 26-2

"There's something heavenly about this pale blue. You see it in Renaissance paintings or an early-morning sky. It would look equally great in a contemporary setting with nubby Belgian linen, or in a more formal room with sparkling crystal sconces. Put a true white next to it and you'll see how wonderful and subtle it really is." —Paul Sherrill

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7 of 12

Sherwin-Williams Secret Garden SW 6181

"This classic hunter green feels like a color I've known my entire life — in the leaves of a magnolia tree, a sprig of fresh-cut basil, or my favorite flannel shirt in the second grade. In a Minnesota farmhouse kitchen, it has a comforting familiarity that evokes a sense of home. It's a color with soul, and that never goes out of style." —Jeff Andrews

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8 of 12

Donald Kaufman Color DKC-36

"I tend to prefer more complex, layered tones, and this fits the bill. Lavender is the only color that's both warm and cool, and this particular shade is like quicksilver. It changes and evolves all day long. It's cheery in the morning, restful and calm in the afternoon, and sexy in the evening's low light." —Oliver M. Furth

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9 of 12

Farrow & Ball Rectory Red 217

"Red lipstick, red dresses, red walls — fabulous! Red makes you feel alive. It instills confidence. And there's another reason people really like to sit in red rooms — they're cozy. If you're afraid to do the whole thing, just start with one wall. Even one shot of red will have tremendous impact." —Marcy Masterson

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10 of 12

Valspar City Chic CI 51

"This taupe is effortlessly chic. It reminds me of a warm stone color, something you'd see on the walls at the Louvre. Mixed with crisp Parisian black and ivory, it's truly a timeless combination. It would look especially stunning with gold or brass accents." —Erinn Valencich

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Farrow & Ball Mahogany 36

"This is a rich, dramatic, yet relaxed dark chocolate that has a ton of depth. Many people are concerned about using dark colors on walls, but I find that they create such warmth in a room — somehow you feel enveloped in the best way." —Annette English

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Sherwin-Williams Repose Gray SW 7015

"I'm not one for big pops of paint color, aside from the occasional bright front door. I prefer something more soothing, like this nice, true gray. Not too dark and not too light, it's classic, clean, and beautiful. It works with just about anything — green, blue, yellow — and would look great in any room of the house." —Ryan Brown

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